THE government has introduced new guidelines to ensure that musicians produce content and videos that align with Tanzanian traditional customs and norms. The move follows growing concerns over some artists releasing songs and videos with offensive or inappropriate material.

Gerson Msigwa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, announced the guidelines yesterday in Dar es Salaam while officiating a workshop on intangible cultural heritage.The event aimed to safeguard Singeli music. 

Msigwa clarified that the government is not singling out Singeli music but intends to regulate all genres to ensure they reflect Tanzanian values. “We cannot condemn Singeli music just because of a few songs with inappropriate content. 

What’s needed is proper regulation and guidelines to ensure all music adheres to Tanzanian traditional norms,” said Msigwa. He added that the ministry would not hesitate to remove any content from the public domain that violates the guidelines. Michel Toto, UNESCO Country Representative, highlighted the cultural significance of Singeli music, noting that it reflects Tanzania’s history, identity, and unity. 

“Singeli music is one of Tanzania’s most powerful cultural expressions. It deserves to be celebrated, protected, and preserved as it continues to unite young people, women, and men,” said Toto. Renowned Singeli musician Msaga Sumu expressed gratitude to the government for recognizing and preserving Singeli music.

 “We have been singing for years without knowing that one day our music would gain global recognition,” said Msaga Sumu, who opened his remarks with a verse from his hit song Shemeji. Singeli is more than just music—it is a living cultural heritage that reflects Tanzanian resilience and creativity, blending elements of traditional dances such as  vanga,  mnanda, mchiriku, and taarab. 

The Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Office for East Africa and the UNESCO Dar es Salaam Office, is hosting a two-day workshop to strengthen national capacity in preparing nomination files for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage lists, with a special focus on Singeli music.

 The workshop brings together ministry officials from the mainland and Zanzibar, Singeli musicians, cultural officers, community members, and civil society organizations.